Naib subedar Paramjit Singh was to reach his village, Vein Poin, around 22 km from the district headquarters, on holiday on May 10.

Udham singh (centre), father of naib subedar Paramjit Singh, and other family members at their residence in Vein Poin village of Tarn Taran district on Monday, May 1.(Gurpreet Singh/HT)

Naib subedar Paramjit Singh was to reach his village, Vein Poin, around 22 km from the district headquarters, on holiday on May 10.

Eagerly awaiting his arrival, the family was in shock when the news of his demise reached on Monday.

Naib subedar Paramjit Singh
(Photo: Family album)

Paramjit Singh of 22 Sikh Regiment was one of the two soldiers who were killed and their bodies mutilated by the Pakistan Army along the Line of Control (LoC) in Poonch district of J&K.

Earlier, the family was told Paramjit was injured in the unprovoked action along the LoC, but later a call confirmed their worst fears.

The 42-year-old soldier has left behind his aged parents, wife Paramjit Kaur and three children: daughters Simerdeep Kaur, 14, and Khushdeep Kaur, 12, and son Sahildeep Singh, 12.

His father, Udham Singh, who was in tears ever since the news broke, said he was proud of his son, but Pakistan Army’s action had left him in pain.

Similar were the reactions of most of the villagers, who rushed to Udham Singh’s house on the village outskirts on hearing the news.

‘Give army free hand to avenge Pak action’

Mixed emotions of pride and anger prevailed in the whole village. Though many were proud of Paramjit for sacrificing his life for the nation, there was anger for the way his body was mutilated.

With tears in his eyes, Paramjit’s elder brother Ranjit Singh said: “Today the village is proud that my brother lost his life for the nation, but we are angry that his body was mutilated. The government should ensure all his organs are intact.”

Urging Prime Minister Narendra Modi to give the army a free hand to hit back and avenge Paramjit’s death, he said: “Modi has not lost his brother… We cannot tolerate such treatment being meted out to our jawans every day. It’s time to wake up.”

The slain soldier’s uncle Mukhtiar Singh was also aghast over the Pakistan army’s “unsoldierly” act. “Pakistan must be paid back in the same coin,” he said.

Villagers also wanted India to snap all ties with Pakistan for it was not stopping its “dirty acts”.